Davey Tree opens 200-acre campus in Kent for research, training + outreach
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Cover photo: Davey Tree SEED Campus, courtesy of The Davey Tree Expert Company
FEATURES
9 Passing the Baton to the Next Generation ACE Mentor Program students take on challenge of restoring Jesse Owens’ historic home
SEEDing the Future
Davey Tree opens 200-acre campus in Kent for research, training + outreach
26 Higley Construction at 100, Built on Trust
A century of craftsmanship & continuity positions Cleveland firm for next chapter 52 Rolling with Rock History
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StoreTEK Scales Up with New $4.7 Million Facility
Custom equipment maker doubles its space, boosting capacity for larger projects 64 Special Section: Building Green
Designing for a Sustainable Future: Examining the role of landscaping in healthy communities
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Vantage Point: Sustainable Exteriors Made Simple with ACM
DEPARTMENTS
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PROPERTIES PEOPLE
1 Sam Cannata (Cannata Companies), Alex Russo (CRESCO Real Estate), Donna Haders (NAIOP Northern Ohio), Maureen Leech (NAIOP Northern Ohio), Chayt Luevano (Intertek/PSI) and Catherine Baney (Intertek/PSI)
2 Nate Wynveen (Caledonia Commercial) and Keith Raker (Tucker Ellis)
3 Frank Cangemi, George Lanesky and Dennis Wagner (Sequoia Realty)
4 Alexis Omilion (Corix), Craig Miller (Duffy + Duffy Cost Segregation), Tom Castro (Great Lakes Piping, LLC), Chris Miller (Duffy + Duffy Cost Segregation) and Jim Strnad (Great Lakes Piping, LLC)
Sporting Clays Event
NAIOP Northern Ohio recently hosted its 6th Annual Sporting Clays Invitational at Hill n’ Dale Club in Medina with a sold-out crowd of nearly 120 members and guests. All proceeds from the event benefitted NAIOP Charities’ initiatives.
The Cleveland chapter of Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA-Cleveland) hosted its 25th annual golf invitational recently at The Country Club of Hudson. The outing was sold out with 144 golfers and hosted the most sheet metal/HVAC contractors in its history, with 175 guests total for entire event.
1 Dave Pedersen (Mestek Machinery), SMACNA CEO John Sindyla, SMACNA President Mike Steidel and Eric Pedersen
2 SMACNA National President Tom Martin, Chip Polivka (GARDINER), Kyp Ross (Assured Partners) and Terry O’Brien (Mussun Sales, Inc.)
3 SMACNA Treasurer John E. Sickle, Jr. (Duct Fabricators, Inc.), Dave Bozak (Mussun Sales, Inc.), Steve Ellis (Mussun Sales, Inc.) and Rob Wingeier (Duct Fabricators, Inc.)
4 Dan Cottrill (Allied Equipment Co.), Chris Klein (Smith & Oby Co.), Klinton McBroom (Wolff Brothers Supply) and Kyle Cobb (Air Control Products, Inc.)
5 Mike English (Frontier Equipment), Sam Dietrich (Gardiner), SMACNA VP Craig Berman (Geauga Mechanical) and Jonmichael Cheung (Geauga Mechanical)
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More than 100 guests came together recently for ULI Cleveland’s Annual Summer Social at the newly opened Dix & Eaton offices and rooftop patio. Attendees enjoyed great food, drinks and city views. The evening also featured tours of the new Dix & Eaton space and The Bulkley Apartments.
Katie Weber (Mansour Gavin LPA), Jen Felice (Guardian Title) and Tyler Berry (Mansour Gavin, LPA)
Connor McFarland (CHN Housing Partners) and Bryan Daily (Vocon)
Cathryn Greenwald (Thompson Hine LLP) and Steve Ross (CBRE)
Hoxha (Hoxha Design Studio)
Dan Toghill, Morgan Dent, Morgan Fischer, Brandon Short, Omar Eisa Mohamed and Patrick Beirne (The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company)
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Join us on Wednesday, May 14 at Windows on the River for the annual ACE Cleveland Spring Celebration! This event unites over 350 ACE volunteers, students, and school staff to honor our community’s achievements.
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Wednesday, October 15 2025
Help us honor our sponsors and alumni, and supp generation of ACE professionals. RS Join us on Wednesday, May 14 at Windows on the River for the annual ACE Cleveland Spring Celebration! This event unites over 350 ACE volunteers, students, and school staff to honor our community’s achievements.
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
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Passing the Baton to the Next Generation
ACE Mentor Program students take on challenge of restoring Jesse Owens’ historic home
By Rhonda Crowder and Derek Williams | Photos by Alaina Battle
The ACE Mentor Program of Cleveland recently celebrated the completion of its 2025 Summer Experience with a student-led project to reimagine and restore the historic home of Olympic legend Jesse Owens. Participants presented their proposal at Cuyahoga Community College Metro Campus’ Advanced Technology Training Center.
Now in its fifth year, the Summer Experience gives participants an opportunity to develop a comprehensive concept of the restructuring, restoration and/or development of real-world, community-focused design/building projects within the Cleveland area. For students, the projects present the opportunity to develop critical-thinking skills, build connections and experience Cleveland history.
Past projects have included a dog park in Midtown, redevelopment of a former Cleveland Public Library in Hough, reimagining the Veteran’s Memorial Bridge with Cuyahoga County and expansion of Kurrish Park in Lee-Harvard with Trust for Public Land.
“Over the years, the projects have afforded us a chance to work with both community and civic partners while support from elected officials such as County Councilwoman Meredith Turner, the City of Cleveland through ARPA funding and Greater Cleveland Works enable us to provide such engaging projects for the participants,” says Glen Shumate, executive director of ACE Cleveland.
He also explains that the Summer Experience always tries to take on a community project –within a neighborhood.
“With its proximity to Cleveland Clinic as well as an opportunity to work with Cleveland Restoration Society in support of preserving a historically significant neighborhood asset, we felt it appropriate given Jesse Owens’ contribution to the world,” he says.
The home, which Owens lived in with his family during his world record-setting years from 1934 to 1936, was purchased by John Cummings in 1996. Cummings, who owns several homes in the Fairfax neighborhood, says he had no idea of the historical significance of the home until
longtime residents pointed it out. After confirming its link to Owens, he began working to secure its preservation.
“I wanted to have the Jesse Owens’ house designated as a landmark because [he] is an example of the great American spirit,” said Cummings.
Cummings, with help from The Cleveland Restoration Society, successfully pushed for the home to be designated a historical landmark, a decision reached unanimously by City Council in 2024, which provides protections for the home as well as value for
the surrounding community. With the home protected, focus has changed to restoring the building to resemble the home Owens and his family once knew.
Many changes had been made to the building in the time between Owens’ occupancy and John Cummings’ ownership. Returning it to its previous state is something that requires creativity and passion, a well-suited challenge for ACE Mentor Cleveland Summer Experience participants.
Participants were challenged with generating ideas to transform the house
RUNNING WITH HISTORY The 2025 ACE Summer Experience team included (from left) Alexander Ing, Olar Brown, Derek Tran, Kaiden Finley, Amon Mims, Johnmarie Mori Garcia and Andrew Rice. The students were challenged to develop a proposal to reimagine and restore the historic home of Olympic legend Jesse Owens in Cleveland’s Fairfax neighborhood.
1 Amon Mims speaks at the ACE Summer Presentation
2 Students present their ideas with Summer Experience project visionary John Cummings, owner of Jesse Owens Home
3 ACE Student Andrew Rice flying a drone with Scott Randelson (Cleveland Drones)
4 ACE alumnus Kevin Daniels (left) leads students on a Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District field trip
5 Students building benches with Alethea Ganaway (Cuyahoga Community College)
6 Johnmarie Mori Garcia speaks at the ACE Summer Presentation
into a partially public building, being split into both a museum and an Airbnb. Having temporary rentals could produce income that will help maintain the building while also showcasing Owens’ many athletic achievements, as well as his impact as a civil rights figure.
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The ACE Summer Experience team was composed of seven high school and college students, each given crucial tasks to the building process. Alexander Ing, who served as project manager, led the team. Johnmarie Garcia and Olar Brown both served as designers. Amon Mims focused on programming more of the digital aspects of the presentation. Andrew Rice developed cost estimates, Kaiden Finley oversaw safety planning, and Derek Tran managed community outreach.
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Celebrate the impact of ACE partnerships, student success, and the future workforce!
3,000+ students engaged $2M in scholarships awarded Alumni thriving in the industry
Help us honor our sponsors and alumni, and support the next generation of ACE professionals.
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
4:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Oswald Building
950 Main Ave, Cleveland, OH 44113
“It has been an honor,” says Ing, when asked what it means to him to work on this project.
Through a series of meetings that took place over the course of six weeks, the group produced a vision that combined historical preservation with contemporary use. They proposed restoring the exterior of the home to its 1930s appearance, with window treatments mirroring that of Owens’ original house. The interior of the museum, in their proposal, includes walls painted with the image of Owens while decorated with his quotes and his story.
Rice, who presented much of Owens’ history during the presentation, says, “The aim was for something that makes the public proud to be a part of it and the history within.”
The visual concept presented within the slideshow also contained displays of some of Owens’ many awards, photographs and other memorabilia.
acecleveland
In order to encourage positive change within the environment as well, some of the additions to the house include a green roof, which can naturally filter rain. There is also the push to modernize the furniture within the home, emphasizing comfortability for guests.
“It was inspiring to see the ideas that the students presented,” says Margaret Lann, director of preservation services and publications for the Cleveland Restoration Society. “I was especially excited to see what they did with the surrounding available land. There was quite a bit of direction regarding the house, which they followed well, but their thoughts on activating the land was a surprise, at least to me.”
The students proposed a long jump and mini track in the backyard.
Alaina Battle, coordinator for the summer program, says, “Students were able to shadow, gain experience, meet professionals. And they have had such an important impact while doing it.”
In addition to working on the project, participants also worked with Dale Carnegie on public speaking and spent time at Turner Construction learning from professionals.
“Through the ACE Summer Experience Program, Turner is able to provide a rewarding externship experience to Cleveland high school students and graduates,” says Rachel Friend, human resources generalist with Turner Cleveland. “Partnering with ACE has proven success – with former ACE externs transitioning from Turner interns to Turner fulltime hires. Yet again, we were overjoyed to have been a part of the ACE Summer Experience Program this year.”
Owens, who shocked the world by winning four gold medals in the 1936 Olympics, remains one of Cleveland’s most celebrated figures, and the effort to preserve his home while connecting him to today’s youth shows the resilience and excellence of the City of Cleveland. For Fairfax, a neighborhood which has been working to overcome decades of disinvestment, the restoration symbolizes the pliability of a people.
As the project moves forward, it will be up to preservation experts, community
stakeholders and John Cummings to turn these concepts into construction.
“A lot of what is feasible depends on the future of the home,” Lann says. “Right now, it is a multifamily rental property and that is not likely to change for some time. If the property remains a rental, the exterior restoration is still feasible without disrupting the living units. If the house is able to be a museum, then some of what the students proposed should be considered.”
For ACE Mentor Program of Cleveland, the experience stands as proof of how education and civic pride can meet. The landmark has the potential to become a beacon of history and hope. And for those who worked on the home of the “Buckeye Bullet,” the lessons and pride they carry forward may be the project’s longest lasting achievement.
The project also provided value to the community partner. “Working with the ACE students is a great way to share the work of our organization with a younger generation and to potentially get those in the cohort who are interested in a career in construction also interested in the preservation side of that field,” Lann says.
She also says being able to engage students with such an important historic space meant that they were interested in the project and that gathering ideas to create a vision for an adaptive reuse project is always better when the opinions come from a diverse group of people.
“Getting the perspective of this group adds ideas that others may not have thought of and lends some excitement,” she adds. “By the end of the presentation, I got the sense that these students would actually visit this museum if it became a reality and that is what we want – to create a space that serves to educate the community about Jesse Owens and his family, while also being fun and appealing to all kinds of visitors.”
The ACE Mentor Program is a not-for-profit organization that helps to prepare high school students for careers in architecture, engineering, and construction. The Summer Experience, along with strategic partners such as Youth Opportunities Unlimited and Dale Carnegie, provides high school seniors and college students with this enriched, paid, six week project-based experience. To learn more, visit ACECleveland.org.
EXPERIENCE IN ACTION ACE alumnus, ACE Alumni Chair and board member Baker Ballard (right) leads students on a field trip with Gilbane Building Company.
SEEDing the Future
Davey Tree opens 200-acre campus in Kent for research, training + outreach
Story by Doug Bardwell | Photos by Doug Bardwell & Mark Watt
With an impressive 145-year history of growth and service, The Davey Tree Expert Company is completing its most ambitious project yet. Located at 6700 N. Mantua St. in Kent, the new SEED Campus spans 200 acres and is dedicated to all aspects of arboriculture.
SEED stands for Science, Employee Education and Development, which suits a company that prides itself on more than just landscaping and tree care. Training and education are offered to arborists in all areas of science, safety and professional development through The Davey Institute, located on this beautiful new campus.
A brief summary of a long history
John Davey immigrated to the United States from England in 1873 and eventually settled in Kent, Ohio. He became the caretaker of Standing Rock Cemetery, located nearby on Ohio Route 43 in Kent. According to Davey Tree’s Executive Vice President Dan Joy, he was more of a scientist than a businessman, but his expertise quickly gained recognition. He was soon asked to provide services to many large estates in Cleveland and throughout Northeast Ohio, so The Davey Tree
Expert Company was then born in 1880. This led the same estate owners to request that he care for their southern properties during the winter, so he began traveling to serve all his customers.
After nearly 30 years, he was joined by his son, Martin L. Davey, and they incorporated in 1909. “His son was more of a businessman,” says Joy, “and he began opening brick-and-mortar locations in major metropolitan areas along the East Coast. Things continued to grow from there, and it remained a family-run business until 1979. By then, no other family members were interested in continuing the business, so they decided to sell it, and we became employee-owned at that point. Last year was our 45th anniversary of employee ownership.”
Davey’s reach spans all 50 states and all provinces in Canada through many regional offices.
“We operate in four major operating groups,” explains Joy. “The residential
and commercial tree care group focuses primarily on high-end residential tree care services, including pruning, removals and insect disease control. Then we have a utility sector that focuses on vegetation management around power lines, trimming trees near power lines and safely removing fallen trees from power lines.”
The third group is its commercial landscape services team that handles corporate campuses and military bases, with complete grounds maintenance, including mowing, flower planting, mulching and weeding.
“Our last group, then, is DRG [Davey Resource Group], which I’d need another day to explain all they do,” Joy says with a smile. “They’re more of a consulting arm broken into two divisions, one on the utility sector and another on natural resources – like wetlands restoration, native landscapes and habitat enhancement.”
Supporting all those divisions is the Davey Institute, the company’s research
Photo by Doug Bardwell
and training engine. The Davey Institute’s Vice President and General Manager Dan Herms explains that, “The Davey Institute of Tree Sciences, which was established by John Davey and completed its 129th iteration earlier this year, is our flagship month-long training program. Davey arborists come from all over the U.S. and Canada for the month of February, spending four weeks here, eight hours a day, every day. In class, they are learning everything from climbing to entomology to business administration to management – and everything in between.
“The Davey Institute also specializes in research from soil fertility to pest management, tree stress physiology, pruning practices, pollinator conservation, right-of-way vegetation management and drone technology, among other things. Additionally, we produce online training content, maintain pesticide licenses for the entire company, and develop and deploy the software for mapping of properties needed for accurate bid preparation. We also do programming and provide support for the i-Tree suite of software
tools in collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service.”
It was time to grow
“We’d been looking for quite some time as we outgrew our facilities directly across the street,” explains Joy. “When the former Oak Knolls Golf Course closed, 18 of their 36 holes became available, and we purchased its 170 acres in 2016, not even sure how we’d best use it. But it had everything we could have possibly wanted: mature trees, turf, wetlands, forest, ponds, a river, even a bog.”
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Since 1960
TAKING ROOT The Davey Tree Expert Company recently opened its 200-acre SEED Campus in Kent, devoted to science, employee education and development in arboriculture.
Photo by Doug Bardwell
CONNECTED SPACES The 70,000-squarefoot project appears as one continuous structure but is engineered as smaller, energy-efficient “buildings,” that house classrooms (top), labs (middle), a converted barn structure/event space (bottom) and more.
Subsequently, another adjacent eight acres, formerly occupied by the old Franklin Elementary School, was acquired so that it would align with the existing Davey headquarters directly across the street.
To develop a plan for the nearly 200acre parcel, Davey recruited Herms, formerly of The Ohio State University, to join them and oversee the development of the Master Plan. Herms sent an RFP to 20 design firms, narrowed the list to five, and ultimately, Davey unanimously chose SmithGroup.
Recalling the RFP they received, Chad Brintnall, senior principal at SmithGroup, remembers the require-
“We’d been looking for quite some time as we outgrew our facilities directly across
the street...
it had everything we could have
possibly wanted: mature trees, turf, wetlands, forest, ponds, a river, even a bog.”
ment: “To make this the kind of education, research and training facility that was best in class – a place that drove innovation and served as a tool for Davey to attract the best talent in the green industry. Those were the overarching goals, but there were many subgoals related to sustainability and public engagement. The RFP closely followed their four pillars: research, training, sustainability and public engagement.”
An inspired idea positioned all the buildings, roadways and research areas on the former fairways, preserving 85% of the mature trees that lined the fairways. Of the trees that needed to be removed, many were milled for future building use, including a few live-edge
Dan Joy
The Davey Tree Expert Company
Photo by Mark Watt
Photo by Doug Bardwell
Photo courtesy of The Davey Tree Expert Company
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MATERIAL CHOICES Structural insulated panel (SIP) walls leave OSB finishes exposed in certain interiors, combining durability with cost savings.
conference tables that now adorn several meeting rooms.
“Combining different spatial components that have different technical requirements, and weaving those together into a coherent experience was really exciting and challenging,” says Jason Robinson, SmithGroup’s project designer. “This is a 70,000-square-foot project, but it’s broken down into a series of smaller objects defined as ‘buildings.’”
Although the 590-foot-wide end product appears to be a single continuous structure, it was actually constructed as three separate buildings, spaced about 20 to 35 feet apart.
“Each of those buildings are connected by pedestrian walkways,” explains Robinson. “So we created a seamless experience between them, which allowed us to break down the scale and create something more inviting – a sprawling landscape of buildings with contemporary gable forms. A big part of this project is about seeing outside and letting the colors of the outside come in, so you’ll notice that in between buildings there are these moments of compression and expansion in the pedestrian walkways where you get relief and you get to see outside, and then that outside becomes part of the interior.
“For sustainability’s sake, smaller buildings allowed us to do things like expose the building structure and OSB [oriented strand board] finish of the high-performance SIP [structural insulated panel]
Photo by Mark Watt
envelope, so we chose not to cover those up, saving money, material and labor.”
When SmithGroup came on board, Joy recalls saying, “Oh, by the way, we also have this barn, and we really want to use it in some way or fashion. And that really drove the whole agricultural theme, adding on to building after building, with the barn becoming one of the anchors.”
Building the dream
Ruhlin was chosen as the construction manager and obtained its first permits in
November 2022. They self-performed all sitework and poured the concrete foundation walls. A major part of phase one involved bringing in sufficient utilities for the project, along with grading and managing a high water table. The property’s southern boundary is the southward-flowing Cuyahoga River, which turns north in Akron before flowing to Lake Erie.
With the high water table, 647 Geopiers were installed to support the million and a half pounds of structural steel for the building and
the decorative arch bridge just west of the building.
“Working with SmithGroup, we immediately highlighted the unique elements that might cause challenges,” says Mike Danks, project manager for Ruhlin. “One of those was identifying the right manufacturer for the SIPs, because there are a few firms capable of making the panels, but only a limited number can supply 120,000 square feet of them to keep the project on schedule.”
Ruhlin created full-scale mockups, which proved invaluable for several items
CLIMBING CLASSROOM A state-of-the-art training center allows arborists to practice rope techniques and equipment handling.
Photo by Doug Bardwell
NATURAL LOOK Interior finishes draw inspiration from nature, using wood tones, greens and natural textures, including several live-edge tables (top). Glass encased walkways (middle) and large windows (bottom) frame the building’s wooded surroundings.
used in the construction. The initially shipped samples of the SIPs had 5/8inch OSB on each side instead of the requested 3/4-inch OSB. That mistake was caught before truckloads of panels were manufactured and shipped from the factory.
According to Danks, additional mockups for the 300-pound skylights provided subcontractors with opportunities to work out the details of the BEMO standing seam metal roof and the flashing for the skylights, with a mockup located on the ground rather than three stories in the air. “Some of the pitches of the steep peaks, which lend to that cool architectural element, were a challenge to work on,” he says.
“There were so many components to this project that, at times, it became a little overwhelming,” recalls Chris Cunningham, Ruhlin’s building superintendent. “From using 14 900-pound tree slabs as shade fins, just inches from the curtain wall, to protecting the exposed edges of the Insulspan SIPs from unpredictable weather, there was a lot of coordination needed. At 7 a.m. every morning, all the foremen huddled in the trailer, and we discussed how we would approach each of these buildings.”
For HVAC, a large heat pump on the outside roof of the northeast building supplies refrigerant for a VRF (variable refrigerant flow) system that heats and cools the building, offering individual room controls.
“It operates like a series of split systems, all controlled by the building automation system,” explains Danks.
“I know I would throw Ruhlin for a loop now and then,” says Joy, “because I was determined to figure out a way to finish every item on our master plan right away, and still stay within budget. I’d stop by and casually mention to Chris that, by the way, we need to renovate an old golf cart repair building or build an additional greenhouse.”
Looking at a pile of dirt excavated from the basement also gave
Photo by Mark Watt
Photo by Mark Watt
Photo by Doug Bardwell
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Herms an idea. With equipment already on site, they managed to create four 10,000-square-foot subsoil reference plots and four undisturbed topsoil reference plots to help evaluate trees in urban settings.
Upon arriving at the campus
Turning into 6700 North Mantua, the first 30 acres closest to the street have been reserved for an arboretum that can be enjoyed by the entire community. Once completed, the arboretum will pursue Level IV Accreditation by ArbNet, which has been obtained by only a handful of arboreta in the country. Among other criteria, Level IV
Accreditation requires at least 500 taxa of woody plants and a research and public education program. An additional 36,000 plants and flowers will create an ever-changing palette of color to highlight the entrance to the property. Parking will be available at a trailhead, and you’ll be able to wander a serpentine path through the entire arboretum, which includes a rugged, manmade waterfall.
Driving through the arboretum, you’ll pass a custom-made culvert/ bridge. To the right, there’s a concrete amphitheater on a slope leading to the pond. Outdoor classes will be held there regularly.
At the top of the slope is a large deck that leads to the feature element on the south end of the project – the relocated historic barn that has been on the property since 1890. Disassembled piece by piece, with each part numbered and cataloged, the building has now been reassembled and can accommodate over 200 people for meetings and events.
Inside, preserved beams set the mood, while highly polished concrete floors
“To make this the kind of education, research and training facility that was best in class – a place that drove innovation and served as a tool for Davey to attract the best talent in the green industry. Those were the overarching goals.”
Chad Brintnall SmithGroup
allow the space to host a variety of events. Modern amenities, such as projectors and wall-mounted monitors, support even the most advanced meetings in this historic building.
Adding touches of color to the interior helps reflect the exterior environment.
“Even the polished concrete in the barn and elsewhere has an integral color, not very heavily applied, but like an
olive color in there to just give it a little bit of green hue,” says Robinson. “As you move through the building, you’ll see all the wood doors have been stained with different hues of green.”
A separate pre-function area has been added to the barn, providing access to the patio and the rest of the building. Nearby, there is a large catering staging area and public restrooms.
Passing through one of the circulation connectors, you’ll reach the reception area. Outside is the main drop-off point for those arriving by car, along with the designated parking lot. As you enter the lobby, you’ll see the main reception desk and a pair of historic Davey Tree trucks on display.
Daylight floods this two-story space through a full-height glass curtain wall facing southeast. Large sunscreens are crafted from 14 vertical tree slabs that were milled, dried, stained and installed just two inches outside the curtain wall. Rising above the reception desk are custom floating wooden stairs.
Continuing our tour northward, the next “building” is a true multifunctional space. On the first floor, there are two conference rooms, a library, separate video recording/photo studio areas and a large archival receiving, processing and storage space, complete with museum-
STRATEGIC SITE The new SEED campus occupies former golf course land with mature trees, wetlands and bodies of water, making it ideal for research and training. By placing new roads and buildings along old fairways, 85% of existing trees were saved.
Photo
Mark Watt
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WALK IN THE WOODS The expansive campus includes a public arboretum with a winding trail and a manmade waterfall (top), while a 50-foot canopy walk above the trees provides an elevated training space for arborists (bottom).
quality rolling shelving and a display wall along the corridor.
Open collaboration spaces are located at the center of the building, with two large classroom wings extending southeastward, separated by a large patio area. Each of the two large areas can be divided with a rolling acoustic partition to create four separate learning zones if needed.
Upstairs are offices and additional collaboration spaces for staff. Vertical skylights above this area provide natural light without causing direct sun glare below.
Traversing the last of the connection corridors, we arrive at some of the most important feature areas within the complex. To the left is the 10,700-square-foot Climbing Center, where students learn the safe procedures necessary to climb using ropes. Previously, all this training was done outside, even in winter if absolutely necessary. Now classes can be held every month in temperaturecontrolled comfort.
As explained by the trainers, most tree climbing skills involve mastering the gear and ropes needed, so these can be demonstrated on metal frames in the climbing center. Additionally, a secondfloor balcony allows trainers to be at eye level with students when they are at the top of the “trees.” Once students have mastered safety skills, they are better prepared to go outside and build the rest of their skill set.
Through a partnership with ENSA (Education Now Safety Assured), Davey employees nationwide will be able to access other partner facilities across the U.S., just as other companies are welcome to train at the SEED Campus.
Outside the climbing center, at the northeast end of the building, is a “hands-on classroom” with movable stainless-steel tables and a polished concrete floor, where trainees can work with equipment such as chainsaws and pruning saws. A garage for outdoor equipment occupies the southeast corner.
Across from the climbing center are two impressive lab spaces – the Research Lab and the Diagnostics Lab. The Research Lab is for Davey to develop
tree care practices and services used throughout the company.
“The Diagnostic Lab also serves the entire company,” says Herms, “and we receive samples daily from operations all over the country to diagnose insect problems, disease issues and abiotic disorders. We also get soil samples and water samples for testing.
“We have a permit from the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service [APHIS] to operate. We collaborated with the USDA from the very beginning, starting at the blueprint stage, to ensure we met bio-containment requirements and other conditions for the permit. Now, we process about 3,500 samples annually in the diagnostic lab. It’s a core function of the Institute.”
Heading back out into nature
Just north of the building is a 50-foottall canopy walk, an elevated walkway through a grove of trees that allows Davey
personnel to study tree physiology high in the canopy. It serves a dual purpose: tree climbing instructors can be on the walkway and be at eye level with those training in actual tree climbing exercises.
Just beyond that are two acres of land with a 698-kilowatt hour (kWh) photovoltaic solar array for power, enough to energize the entire campus, so Davey’s campus can operate at netzero carbon emissions.
A three-green, six-tee golf course anchors the northeast corner of the property, supporting Davey’s golf division and providing entertainment for employees.
The northwest corner features utility poles and non-energized utility wires, allowing those on utility service to practice various scenarios for safely removing overgrown vegetation and fallen trees from power lines using a bucket truck.
A compacted soil research site with eight 10,000-square-foot plots allows for
Photo courtesy of The Davey Tree Expert Company
Photo by Doug Bardwell
Cavanaugh Building Corporation is a general construction company based in Akron, specializing in commercial construction and site development, employing talented project managers, union tradesmen including heavy equipment operators, laborers and carpenters with an impressive fleet of over 100 pieces of equipment. We deliver quality service to our growing family of customers.
At the new Davey Tree SEED Campus, Cavanaugh’s team of skilled carpenters worked hard to complete the wood doors, framing and gypsum, wood ceilings and wood trims in the conference rooms.
Cavanaugh’s carpenters also completed casework, wood base/ trim, acoustical and wood ceilings, interior framing and gypsum, and doors, frames and hardware throughout multiple other areas of the project.
Cavanaugh Building Corporation is a general construction company based in Akron, OH. We specialize in commercial construction and site development, employing talented project managers, union tradesmen including heavy equipment operators, laborers, and carpenters with an impressive fleet of over 100 pieces of equipment. We deliver quality service to our growing family of customers.
At the new Davey Tree SEED project Cavanaugh's team of skilled carpenters worked hard to complete the wood doors, framing and gypsum, wood ceilings and wood trims in the conference rooms.
Cavanaugh's carpenters also completed casework, wood base/ trim, acoustical and wood ceilings, interior framing and gypsum, and doors, frames, and hardware throughout multiple other ares of the project.
Smarter Construction Growth
comparative studies of disturbed and natural soils to support urban tree planting initiatives.
The nine-acre Davey Bog is located on the northwest edge of the property, and with the addition of the boardwalk, it will support wetland studies and training.
Back toward the arboretum, another research garden spans 26 acres and features advanced irrigation systems that measure water delivered to each tree, shrub or bush.
Planting the seeds for 100 more years
“This was truly a unique project for all parties involved,” recalls Joy, “where both SmithGroup and Ruhlin had the owner self-performing so much of the work that Davey did on-site. There was work that Ruhlin was doing, while we were working on both the SmithGroupdesigned tasks and other tasks they weren’t even involved with. Yet, it all had to be coordinated and finished within two years or less. They were both great to work with, coordinating the work of everyone involved.”
Herms relates that in all his years of academia and tree research, he’s never seen better facilities anywhere. “We were able to custom-design our Research and Diagnostic Labs to meet our purposes, supporting the kind of research that we do to support Davey, so those labs are
amazing,” he says. “Same thing for the greenhouses and our tree research plantation. We have 11 species and 600 trees with a sophisticated irrigation system so that we can control the amount of water that goes to each individual tree in a randomized, replicated way to enable plant health care research. As a tree scientist, I can say I’ve never seen anything like this.”
“I would say that what strikes me about the campus is that it’s a reflection
of Davey’s focus on employee ownership,” adds Jennifer Lennox, director of public relations for Davey Tree. “As employee owners, we say we’re not interested in short-term thinking. We’re thinking long-term, and I think this campus is a good reflection of that. This is not just good for future employees but also benefits the green industry, our community, and, you could be bold enough to say, our country and the world in terms of sustainability.”
GAINING GROUND The project takes advantage of the sprawling property with research gardens and walking trails (left), as well as a three-green, six-tee golf course, several greenhouses and a 698-kilowatt solar array (right) that complement the educational facility.
Photo by Doug Bardwell
Photo courtesy of The Davey Tree Expert Company
Higley Construction at 100, Built on Trust
A century of craftsmanship & continuity positions Cleveland firm for next chapter
Story & photos by Scott Esterly
In 1925, Albert M. Higley opened a construction office on East 22nd Street in Cleveland. His early work built a reputation for craftsmanship and reliability, qualities that carried the firm through the Great Depression, the war years and into Cleveland’s modern era.
Today, Higley Construction is headquartered on Euclid Avenue in Midtown – less than a mile from its original headquarters. The company has grown from a family business into a professionally led firm with projects across Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Its portfolio includes hospitals, universities, cultural centers and corporate headquarters. What stands out most is continuity. Even as leadership has shifted and markets have changed, the firm has remained rooted in Cleveland for an entire century.
only a family name. It has become a brand recognized for steady, behind-
“While
our name carries a century of history, our focus remains on innovation and building lasting relationships with clients, partners and communities.”
War I veteran, launched his namesake company in Cleveland with an investment of just $2,000. Within five years, the fledgling builder had completed more than 100 projects. Even during the Great Depression, Higley pressed ahead, taking on more than 500 projects across Cleveland, Chicago, Indianapolis and Buffalo.
David Pastir Higley Construction
the-scenes work on some of the region’s most complex and visible projects.
The continuity extends beyond geography. It reflects a company culture built on integrity, collaboration and technical expertise. Higley is no longer
Leadership + legacy
In 1925, Higley, Sr., a Case School of Applied Science graduate and World
Gareth Vaughan, current chairman/CEO of Higley Construction, recalls a story from the company’s early years that perfectly captures both the challenges and the humor of building during the Depression. On one project, believed to have been led by Albert Higley, Sr., the client literally couldn’t afford to settle the construc-
LEADING THE WAY Higley Construction’s senior leadership includes (from left) Executive VP, Operations Mark Vega; Sr. VP of Safety & Quality Tom Lippert; Executive VP Dan Sehlhorst; VP of Human Resources Karen Gorsuch; Sr. VP of Preconstruction Jason Pastor; Chairman & CEO Gareth Vaughan; President & COO Dave Pastir; Regional VP, Ohio Andrew Hudak; and VP of Finance & Administration Mike Zielinski.
tion bill. Instead, payment came in peanuts – boxes and boxes of them delivered to the Higley household. It’s a lighthearted reminder, Vaughan notes, of the company’s resilience in tough times and the lengths clients would go to honor their commitments.
By the 1940s, as America entered World War II, the company pivoted to defense work, including the region’s largest defense plant for Cleveland Pneumatic Aerol.
The postwar boom of the 1950s brought rapid expansion, with a diverse portfolio of industrial, institutional and
THE MAN BEHIND THE NAME Albert Maltby Higley was a 1917 graduate of Case School of Applied Science and a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers during World War One.
collegiate projects across northern and central Ohio. The 1960s ushered in a generational leadership transition, as Albert Higley, Sr., retired and Albert Higley, Jr., assumed control alongside Roy “Dutch” Harley. Under their watch, the company leaned further into commercial and institutional projects as the economy de-industrialized. In the 1970s, Higley strengthened its healthcare portfolio and took on high-profile commercial projects, while also riding a wave of retail development as shopping centers reshaped American suburbs.
The 1980s proved transformative. Despite a national recession, Higley adapted by pursuing major utility and infrastructure projects, most notably large portions of the Perry Nuclear Power Plant. The 1990s reinforced Higley’s reputation in healthcare, education and corporate work, with projects ranging from research laboratories and surgery centers to performing arts venues. As the century closed, Albert M. Higley, Jr., retired as chairman and CEO after more than 40 years of service.
The 2000s and 2010s were defined by scale and reach. The firm celebrated its 75th anniversary and surpassed its 11,000th contract. Landmark projects included work for Kenyon College, Denison University and Cleveland’s expanding healthcare systems. In 2012, annual revenue topped $200 million for the first time, and the firm completed its first project exceeding $175 million just a year later. As Higley
BUILDING BRANDS BIGGER
CHEERS TO 100 YEARS
Congrats to Higley Construction on 100 Years
Higley Construction has spent 100 years shaping skylines. We’re proud to have helped their brand stand as tall as their legacy. Congrats on a century of excellence—and the next one ahead.
Photo courtesy of Higley Construction
with an investment of just $2,000. Within five years, the fledgling builder had completed more than 100 projects, such as the S.S. Kresge Co. store in Ashtabula.
neared its second century in the 2020s, they continued to deliver signature projects such as Lafayette West Apartments, The Artisan, the Lawrenceville School and the ongoing Rock & Roll Hall of Fame expansion. The Rock Hall expansion adds exhibition, performance and student learning spaces; Lake Erie-facing public areas; and most notably the Atrium, expected to welcome over 600,000 visitors each year. Leadership has continued to evolve as well, with David Pastir becoming president in 2024 and Gareth Vaughan moving into the role of chairman. In January of 2025, the company rebranded as Higley Construction and unveiled a modernized logo and brand to reflect its evolving identity.
beyond traditional general contracting and into new delivery methods.
Higley’s decades of growth reshaped its role in the industry, moving the firm
“While our name carries a century of history, our focus remains on innovation and building lasting relationships with
clients, partners and communities,” says David Pastir, Higley Construction’s president and COO. “We’re proud to honor our past while embracing the future of construction and project delivery.”
From GC to CMR
That future is rooted in the evolution of Higley’s services. Once a traditional general contractor with strong union affiliations and self-performing trades, such as earthwork, masonry, carpentry and demolition, the firm built some of the region’s most notable concrete structures, including Huntington Bank Field, home of the Cleveland Browns.
By the early 1980s, the company began shifting toward broader roles in general contracting, construction management and construction manager at risk (CMR) work. One of the company’s earliest CMR projects was for Perry Schools in the late 1980s. To this day, Higley remains signatory with labor groups, including building laborers and carpenters in Ohio.
Landmark projects
Over the years, Higley Construction has been involved in many of Northeast Ohio’s most significant building projects. The firm has worked for every major health system in Cleveland, including Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals, Southwest General and
BRICK BY BRICK In 1925, Albert Higley, Sr. launched his namesake company in Cleveland
Photo courtesy of Higley Construction
p. 216 626 5755 e. director@aiacleveland.com
Center for Architecture & Design 2059 E. 14th St. Cleveland, OH 44115 www.aiacleveland.com
Morgan Stanley is proud to support Higley Construction.
MAY YOUR BUSINESS CONTINUE TO THRIVE AND PROSPER IN THE YEARS TO COME
WE ARE TRULY HONORED TO ACKOWLEDGE AND CELEBRATE THIS REMARKABLE MILESTONE
Luce, Smith & Scott, Inc.
PROJECT PORTFOLIO Among many key projects completed by Higley Construction in the past decade-plus are Eaton Center in 2013 (top), The Artisan Apartment Tower in 2023 (middle) and Baldwin Wallace University’s Austin E. Knowlton STEM Center in 2020 (bottom).
MetroHealth. Its healthcare projects range from new patient towers to complex renovations carried out in active hospital environments.
In the cultural sector, Higley has overseen major work at the Cleveland Museum of Art, Severance Hall, Edgewater Beach and the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Most recently, the company is leading construction of the zoo’s Primate Forest – a multi-phased transformation of the RainForest into a 140,000-square-foot indoor destina-
“I would say we learned a lot from [the Eaton Center] project and, from there, built an infrastructure where we could handle more of those [large-scale] projects, and that kind of catapulted us to the next level.”
David Pastir Higley Construction
tion featuring new habitats for gorillas, orangutans and tropical species. The company has also completed projects for nonprofit organizations throughout the region, often in settings that remain open to the public during construction.
“Projects like the Primate Forest capture the heart of what we do at Higley,” says Ohio Regional Vice President Andrew Hudak. “We’re creating environments that advance animal care and conservation, while giving our community a world-class destination to experience. It’s a complex project, but our team thrives on the challenge of bringing bold visions like this to life.”
Higher education has been another consistent focus. Higley has delivered facilities for Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland State University, as well as school districts across Northeast Ohio. Corporate cli-
Photos courtesy of Higley Construction
BRANCHING OUT Higley Construction has steadily extended its reach beyond Ohio with work in Michigan, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, such as Lafayette West Condominium and Apartment Campus in Detroit (top) and the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh (bottom).
ents have included KeyBank, EY and Progressive Insurance, amongst others.
One of the most significant projects in Higley’s history is the Eaton North American Headquarters in Beachwood, which opened in early 2013. Serving as CMR, the firm delivered nearly 950,000 square feet of space, including a 10-story office tower, two crescentshaped five-story wings, a five-level parking garage, a wellness center and landscaped grounds across 53 acres.
“I would say we learned a lot from that project and, from there, built an infrastructure where we could handle more of those projects, and that kind of catapulted us to the next level,” says Pastir.
Completed on a fast-tracked schedule, the project achieved LEED Gold certification and exceeded owner diversity goals, with 44% of subcontracting performed by diverse firms. Higley also self-performed major concrete work, further underscoring its range of capabilities.
The Eaton Center demonstrated the company’s ability to manage a large, complex headquarters project and reinforced its reputation for leadership in construction management across Northeast Ohio.
Beyond Cleveland
Success on complex projects in Cleveland created opportunities to serve clients in new markets, beginning with Detroit. While Cleveland will always be home – its headquarters resides within a three-story building downtown that the company renovated for itself in 2018 –Higley has steadily extended its reach over the past two decades.
The move into Detroit began with work for Bedrock, a client relationship that opened the door to one of the Midwest’s most active development markets. That entry point led to a permanent office and a growing portfolio of projects in Southeast Michigan. A similar story has played out in Pittsburgh and New Jersey, where long-standing relationships with healthcare and edu-
cation clients created opportunities to expand beyond Ohio.
“Our success in Cleveland has given us the foundation to grow with our clients in new places,” says Executive Vice President Dan Sehlhorst. “As we continue to expand, our goal is to bring the same level of trust, expertise and consistency that has defined Higley for the past 100 years.”
Each of these newer offices are growing, but the potential is significant. By building on trusted partnerships and a reputation for reliable delivery, Higley has translated its Cleveland success into meaningful regional expansion. As these offices mature, leadership sees the possibility for Detroit, Pittsburgh and New Jersey
to become as firmly established as the company’s headquarters.
Giving back to the community
As Higley celebrates its 100th anniversary, it’s marking the milestone in a way that reflects both its history and its future. Higley is using the year to give back through “100 Days of Community Service.” This initiative engages employees at every level in hands-on volunteer work, reinforcing a culture where collaboration and care extend well beyond the job site.
“We have a policy where everyone may take one day of VTO [volunteer time off] each year. Employees can use that to volunteer for any organization they wish,” says Rebecca Wollenhaupt,
Photos courtesy of Higley Construction
Higley Construction’s director of marketing and communications.
These centennial community-focused activities highlight the enduring values that have defined Higley for a century:
integrity, craftsmanship and teamwork. They also underscore a guiding principle of the company’s leadership – the belief that empowering people and investing in our communities is at the heart of
lasting success. Rooted in tradition yet looking toward the future, Higley is celebrating not just 100 years of building, but 100 years of community.
Standing out
What sets Higley apart after a century in business is not just the buildings but the people who bring them to life. The company currently employs 144 professional staff and another 80 to 100 tradespeople.
From the start, Higley has built more than structures; it has built a culture. Leadership trusts teams in the field and office to take ownership of their work, fostering collaboration, valuing expertise and putting people at the heart of every project. That approach has allowed the firm to blend long-standing craftsmanship with the tools and knowledge to tackle the region’s most complex construction challenges.
“The Higley family built the foundation we stand on today,” says Chairman/CEO Gareth Vaughan. “Our people are the reason Higley has thrived for 100 years. Their commitment to our clients defines who we are. Our legacy isn’t just in the buildings we’ve delivered. It’s in the trust we’ve earned, the teams we’ve grown and the communities we’ve served. Looking ahead, we’ll keep doing what we do best: building with care, supporting our people, and making a difference that lasts.”
ROCK STEADY Currently, the company is hard at work on the ongoing Rock & Roll Hall of Fame expansion project in downtown Cleveland, which will add exhibition, performance and student learning space.
Photo courtesy of Higley Construction
FINANCIAL STRATEGIES
Smart use of fiscal planning & action
Apples to Apples
September traditionally marks a return to the classroom after several months of fun in the sun. And in this column, the September issue traditionally marks a return to more technical topics after a few months of the Terminator, Tom Cruise and baseball trading cards. We will start our return to the classroom by defining the word “jargon.” According to Merriam-Webster, this word means special terms or expressions that are used in a particular profession or group and are difficult for others to understand. Commercial real estate can be a poster child for this definition and one of the best examples is the jargon used to describe the various types of lease structures.
This month, I’m going to dive straight into this topic and provide a baseline set of definitions. And next month, we’ll continue the discussion by providing a framework to use when comparing lease economics. If you are ready to go back to school, shine up that apple and read on! In its most basic form, a lease is simply an agreement that formalizes the possession of property for payment. While much of the agreement is (somewhat) standard and (moderately) easy to understand, things can start to get unhinged when it comes to the responsibility in paying various expenses
associated with the premises. In an attempt to clarify and distinguish the subtleties associated with various structures, all sorts of monikers have become common. These include terms such as net, triple net, gross, modified gross, double net, full-service gross and a host of others. The first order of business is to understand that there are truly only three basic lease structures. The first is an absolute net lease. The usual knee-jerk reaction is to use the moniker “triple net” to describe it and cite a large warehouse occupied by a single tenant or a free-standing fast-food restaurant as
ALEC J. PACELLA
examples. And that would be incorrect. In an absolute net lease, not only are all of the operating expenses the responsibility of the tenant (including the three “nets” of real estate taxes, common area maintenance and insurance) but so are items such as large-scale repair, replacement, refurbishment, rebuilding in the event of destruction, etc. The best real-world example of this type of lease structure is a ground lease, where all of the responsibilities to occupy and maintain the premises fall on the tenant. The only responsibility that the landlord has is to safely make it out to the mailbox each month to pick up the ground rent check. Everything else associated with the property is the responsibility of the tenant.
At the complete opposite extreme is the second basic lease structure, called an absolute gross lease. And again, the usual knee-jerk reaction is to call this a “full-service gross” lease and cite a
lease, as well as stipulate the exact rent obligation to be paid for each and every month of the entire term of the lease. The U.S. government has no problem paying what would ordinarily seem to be an over-market rent but they will not pay a penny more for any month for the duration of the lease.
The third basic lease structure, called a hybrid lease, covers any of the types of leases that fall in between these two extremes, including all of those monikers typically thrown around with reckless abandon that I mentioned ear-
lier. Relying on a broad-based moniker to describe a specific lease agreement is a recipe for disaster because even with some of the well-used terms there can be exceptions. For example, a “triple net” lease is assumed to have the tenant be monetarily responsible for real estate taxes, common area maintenance and insurance. But the specific lease agreement may contain additional language that places a monetary limit on certain items. For example, the tenant is responsible for repairs and maintenance but limited to $2,000 annually for any main-
LEED CERTIFICATION SERVICES
CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
The structure of a lease agreement is primarily concerned
with
balancing risks. At the extremes, an absolute net structure
places all of the operational expense risk on the tenant while an absolute gross structure places all of the operational expense risk on the landlord.
downtown or suburban multi-tenant office building as an example. And once again, that would be incorrect. In an absolute gross lease, all of the expenses are the responsibility of the landlord, including subtleties such as in-suite electric consumption, in-suite cleaning, future increases in operating expenses, etc. The tenant only makes one scheduled payment each month and all of the monetary responsibilities are on the landlord. If anyone has ever had the privilege of completing a lease with the United States government, via the U.S. General Services Administration (or GSA), you know the true meaning of an absolute gross lease. The lease, which resembles a small novel, typically outlines anything and everything that could ever occur during the course of the
EA Group can help you make the pieces fit!
For your projects that are pursuing LEED certification, EA Group has the experience and capabilities to assist your project team in successfully obtaining the required credits. Whether the project is new construction, core and shell, or a renovation to an existing building, we can provide environmental consulting, sampling and analysis services to support the sustainable design goals. We are proud to have provided environmental assessment, documentation of remediation, air quality plans and air quality testing on well over 60 LEED registered projects at various k-12 schools, universities, healthcare facilities and commercial projects.
Sustainable Sites Prerequisites and Credits:
• Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) Phase I and Phase II for LEED credit and Funding Requirements
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Indoor Environmental Quality:
• Indoor Air Quality Management Plan
During Construction (for IEQ 3.1)
• Baseline Air Quality Testing
Prior to Occupancy (IEQ 3.2)
• Mold Prevention
SIGNAGE SOLUTIONS
What I C @ PVC
NOTHING RUNS LIKE A DEERE Last month, a former auto dealership property at 7168 Pearl Rd. in Middleburg Heights was sold for $3.36 million. The seller was M6 Realty, which is related to current Ohio Senator Bernie Moreno. The buyer was Ag-Pro Real Estate, which is one of the nation’s largest John Deere equipment dealers. –AP
tenance and repairs to the HVAC units associated with the leased premises.
How Bad is t H at Leak?
The structure of a lease agreement is primarily concerned with balancing risks. At the extremes, an absolute net structure places all of the operational expense risk on the tenant while an absolute gross structure places all of the operational expense risk on the landlord. With a hybrid structure, the risk can be balanced between the two parties, which typically raises two immediate questions. The first question is usually: “How do I know which party is responsible for what?” And the answer is to always read the lease agreement. A well-drafted lease will clearly state who is responsible for what, when and how. A very common second question is: “Why are there differences in the structure of a lease, sometimes even within the same building?” The “golden rule” is always my response – the party that has the gold makes the rules. If a landlord has the best building in the best location and the tenant really wants to be there, then the landlord may be able to shift more of the risk to the tenant in the lease agreement. But if the tenant is considered to be creditworthy, will drive traffic or otherwise raise the perceived quality of the building, then the tenant may be able to shift more of the risk to the landlord in the lease agreement.
Understanding exactly what the lease agreement establishes will help cut through the jargon associated with generic terminology and focus on which party is responsible for what specific items. It will also help to form the basis of an accurate economic comparison between different lease proposals. But the end-of-the-day bell just rang so that will have to wait until class resumes next month.
Alec Pacella, CCIM, president at NAI Pleasant Valley, can be reached by phone at 216-4550925 or by email at apacella@naipvc.com. You can connect with him at www.linkedin.com/in/ alecpacellaccim or subscribe to his youtube channel; What I C at PVC.
BILLBOARD
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Superman Statue Unveiled in Downtown Cleveland
An 18-foot stainless steel Superman statue was unveiled recently at the newly named Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster Tribute Plaza outside the Huntington Convention Center of Cleveland. Situated at Ontario Street and St. Clair Avenue, the plaza honors Siegel and Shuster who, as teenagers, conceived the iconic superhero in Cleveland in the 1930s. The statue, sculpted by David Deming, depicts Superman in flight atop a blue pylon, with adjacent bronze statues of Siegel, Shuster and Joanne Siegel, the original model for Lois Lane, plus a nine-foot enclosed phone booth representing Clark Kent’s transformation.
The tribute plaza is part of the Huntington Convention Center’s $52 million expansion, which includes a new 22,000-square-foot ballroom and outdoor terrace (see full story in Properties, February 2025 issue at www.propertiesmag.com). The Siegel & Shuster Society, which spearheaded the project, continues to seek donations to support the plaza’s maintenance and future programming.
SMPS Northeast Ohio Names New Board
SMPS Northeast Ohio recently launched its 2025–2026 program year with new leadership, a refreshed
(Higley Construction). She is joined by President-Elect Katelin Tarry (Perspectus Architecture), Past President Jillian Van Wagnen (Turner Construction), Treasurer Grace Rundelli (Higley
Construction) and Donald Butchko (Richard L. Bowen + Associates), plus Chapter Liaison Adam Kilbourne (Tec Inc. Engineering & Design). This year’s theme, “Beyond the Build: Delivering Value
industry impact. The chapter is also inviting firms to partner as annual sponsors, offering extended visibility and connections to design and construction professionals across Northeast Ohio.
Gleeson Construction, JTC Contracting Merge
Gleeson Construction, a leading Midwest millwork and laboratory contractor, has merged with JTC Contracting
Photo courtesy of Cuyahoga County
Siegel & Shuster Tribute Plaza
Rebecca Wollenhaupt
shared commitments to quality and craftsmanship, expanding capabilities across the interior construction sector.
Gleeson Construction, in business for 65 years, is recognized for high-profile projects such as The RitzCarlton Cleveland, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, KeyBank Headquarters and Cleveland Clinic facilities, as well as specialized laboratory casework for healthcare, research and education.
JTC, led by third-generation carpenter Ty Morris, specializes in modular wall systems, corporate furniture installation and logistics, operating more than 125,000 square feet of warehouse space in Northeast Ohio with expanded facilities in Columbus.
Owner Michael Gleeson will remain active in the merged company, which aims to increase project capacity, broaden geographic reach and deliver enhanced service to clients.
Frantz Ward Earns Top Construction Rank
Frantz Ward LLP’s Construction practice has been named among the top two in Ohio in the newly released 2025 Chambers USA Guide. The practice earned a Band 1 ranking for its representation of contractors, developers and construction professionals in complex dis putes and advisory matters.
Three Frantz Ward attorneys received individual recogni
tion, including Ian H. Frank (Band 1), Michael J. Frantz Jr. (Band 3) and Marc A. Sanchez (Band 3). Clients feedback
to lead and win high-stakes construction litigation.”
The Chambers USA rankings are based on in-depth research, client interviews and peer feedback.
Pipefitters Local 120 Breaks Ground on Shop Expansion
Pipefitters Local 120 recently announced it has broken ground on a 5,950-square-foot expansion of its welding shop. In partnership with Interfinish LLC and HSB Architects, the project will add 36 new welding booths to the existing training facility at 6305 Halle
Michael J. Frantz Jr.
Mike Hicks President
bers, while also enhancing the overall welding curriculum. Planning for the project began in early 2024, with permits secured in August 2025. The expansion is expected to be completed by March 2026.
AIA Cleveland Hosts 9th Annual Sand Fest
The Cleveland chapter of American Institute of Architects (AIA Cleveland) recently hosted its 9th annual family-friendly Sand Fest at Edgewater Beach in Cleveland. The chapter’s signature summer event featured a sand castle construction competition and sand volleyball tournament between teams of Northeast Ohio architects and designers, along
News about people, products, places & plans
with food trucks and community fun.
This year’s sand castle competition theme, “Around the World,” inspired creative interpretations of global landmarks and travel icons. Vocon took the top prize as
well as the publicly voted Best of the Beach award for its “Cleveland to Cairo” creation.
In the volleyball tournament, DiGeronimo Companies (Independence Excavating/ Independence Construction) secured first place, with Perspectus Architecture finishing second.
The event raised more than $8,600 to benefit the ACE Mentor Program Scholarship Fund, which provides educational opportunities and scholarships for students pursuing careers in architecture, construction and engineering.
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AECOM earned second place with “Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?” while honorable mentions went to Bowen for “The Colosseum” and RDL Architects for “Penguin World Tour.”
AIA Cleveland’s 9th Annual Sand Fest
Photo courtesy of AIA Cleveland
Commercial real estate happenings
Navigating Change in Industrial Real Estate
Many of you are familiar with NAIOP through our active affiliate in Northern Ohio. That’s how I was first introduced to this incredible organization – at its core, a leading advocacy and network organization for developers, owners and professionals in office, industrial and mixed-use real estate. In addition to staying involved locally, I also attend national NAIOP conferences and participate in other chapters across the country.
Originally founded as the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (hence the acronym NAIOP), the organization has steadily broadened its scope. Today, it represents a much wider spectrum of commercial real estate sectors. To better reflect that evolution, NAIOP recently adopted a new name: The Commercial Real Estate Development Association (CREDA). The name change affirms NAIOP’s commitment to inclusivity and more accurately reflects the diversity of its growing membership base.
Earlier this summer, I attended NAIOP’s I.CON East conference in Jersey City. Industry leaders addressed pressing challenges and opportunities shaping industrial real estate. U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo
delivered a compelling keynote, sharing her journey from the private sector to public service and reaffirming the Department of Commerce’s mission to enhance U.S. competitiveness. She emphasized the CHIPS and Science Act as a game-changer for reshoring semiconductor manufacturing, while cautioning against the economic uncertainty caused by inconsistent tariff policies.
Energy infrastructure was a major theme. Panelists warned that grid congestion and power limitations are now central to industrial site selection – often more so than land cost or highway access. Solar energy presents significant promise, but permitting and regulation remain serious bottlenecks.
Data centers emerged as one of the fastest-growing asset classes. To meet surg-
DON OBERMEIER
ing demand, developers must prioritize energy access, engage local communities and navigate zoning with precision.
As the industry navigates global uncertainty and tighter capital markets, speakers encouraged a long-term mindset: embrace an “all-of-the-above” energy strategy, stay agile and capitalize on the wave of reshoring and digital infrastructure investment.
After the summer conference hiatus, national events resumed with CRE Converge in Toronto from September 8-10. This is where small forum groups meet alongside a full educational and networking agenda. Insider info: I am on a committee working to launch a new data center-focused forum group.
Next up is I.CON Cold, returning to not-so-cold Phoenix, Arizona, from October 6-7. Now in its second year,
NAIOP recently adopted a new name: The Commercial Real Estate Development Association (CREDA). The name change affirms NAIOP’s commitment to inclusivity and more accurately reflects the diversity of its growing membership base.
this cold storage-focused conference continues to expand as demand in that sector grows.
Finally, I’m thrilled to announce that the Commercial Real Estate Development Association (formerly NAIOP—insert your own Prince reference here!) will host the inaugural I.CON Central conference in Columbus from November 3-4, 2025. Register early: advance ticket sales and sponsor interest are already ahead of schedule, and this event has real potential to sell out.
As a member of the planning committee, I’ve had a sneak peek at the proposed panel discussions. Trust me – you won’t want to miss this event. Since it’s the first I.CON conference in the Midwest, I’m also working on organizing a late-night euchre networking event to bring a little regional flavor to the experience.
Don Obermeier, CPSM, LEED AP is senior business development director with CESO. For more information on NAIOP Northern Ohio, visit www.naiopnorthern ohio.com.
LEGAL
Navigating property laws & regulations
Budget Positions Ohio for Growth
The enactment of Ohio House Bill 96 delivers one of the most pro-growth operating budgets in the nation in terms of support of economic development in an overall tighter fiscal cycle. NAIOP members advocated for additional funding and refined standards for proven programs that provide the necessary tools to re-energize communities, attract private capital and keep Ohio competitive for years to come.
Each of these wins accelerates commercial real estate investment and job creation. As an organization, we at NAIOP believe these enhancements will lead Ohio in the direction of meaningful economic growth as a whole. Below is a summary of key program enhancements.
Transformational Mixed-Use Development (TMUD) Program
TMUD credits close financing gaps for mixed-use development projects of significance to the communities in which they are located, promoting economic development, while unlocking underused sites, attracting residents and opening new tax revenue streams.
• Previously funded at $100 million per year but the program was scheduled to sunset – brought back to life and increased funding to $125 million per year
• Focused funding on projects that truly need the funding and that are well prepared to proceed with the funding
As we delved deeply into the advocacy process, we worked closely with the legislature to include specific criteria in the statute, addressing complaints that developers expressed that the standards changed from round to round without adequate notice.
Moreover, the Ohio Department of Development (DOD) reached out to NAIOP in an effort to improve its ability to administer the program, particularly related to the process for assessing the economic impact of projects. That led NAIOP of Ohio to closely collaborate with the DOD and the legislature to bring about those desired improvements.
Opportunity Zone Tax Credit Program
By boosting the Opportunity Zone (OZ) Tax Credit Program, Ohio incentivizes investment to build momentum in historically distressed areas to support new construction and revitalization where it’s needed most. The annual cap was doubled to $50 mil-
MICHAEL SIKORA
lion with unused funds rolling over to maximize utilization.
Brownfield Remediation Program
Cleaning up contaminated brownfield sites removes the single biggest barrier to redevelopment, turning idle properties into productive assets that boost opportunities for investment.
• Received $200 million in funding
($100 million per year) from an initial $0 starting point
• Shifts focus of awards away from “first come, first serve” to projects that have economic merit, which is better for NAIOP members
Historic Preservation Tax Credit Program
These credits make it financially worthwhile to rehab historic structures, preserving their character and often
McMahon Masonry Restoration Experts
repurposing obsolete office space into multifamily housing.
• Annual cap raised from $60 million to $75 million
• Credit boosted to 35% (from 25%) for projects in communities under 300,000 residents
• Removal of building vacancy as a practical requirement, so more buildings qualify and owners do not have to ask tenants to leave prematurely
In addition to securing substantial funding and enhanced development tools, NAIOP of Ohio applauds the general assembly for enacting in the budget the following additional key policy reforms that will improve the development climate across the state.
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municipal corporation, a county, a new community authority or a port authority, and the land they occupy, may benefit from property tax exemption. For developments that need creative solutions and true public-private partnerships, this will help make more projects financially feasible.
Megaproject CRA modernization
The budget allows Community Reinvestment Area (CRA) tax exemptions to extend up to 30 years for buildings tied to megaprojects or megaproject suppliers.
Zoning referendum reform
The signature requirement to place local zoning referenda on the ballot increased from 10% to 35% of voters
Cleaning up contaminated brownfield sites removes the single biggest barrier to redevelopment, turning idle properties into productive assets that boost opportunities for investment.
in municipalities and limited home rule townships. This amendment will improve predictability for developers in their planning process.
NAIOP of Ohio applauds Governor DeWine and the general assembly for their vision, leadership and continued partnership in advancing policies that fuel job creation, private investment and prudent development across Ohio. The provisions included in House Bill 96 represent a bold, strategic step forward and continue to position Ohio as a national leader for growth-oriented, prodevelopment policy.
NAIOP will continue working closely with policymakers, our local chapters and industry experts to ensure that Ohio stays strong at the forefront, attracts investment and thrives as a destination for economic development now and into the future.
Michael J. Sikora III, managing partner with Sikora Law, is board president of NAIOP of Ohio.
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Rolling with Rock History Klutch Cannabis revives former Record Rendezvous building as flagship dispensary
By Christopher Johnston | Photos by Caitlin Bourque, Nate O’Donnell & Mark Watt
Once a space where Clevelanders flipped through vinyl records, the historic Record Rendezvous is spinning a new story. Klutch Cannabis has transformed the legendary downtown rock ‘n’ roll landmark at 300 Prospect Ave. into its flagship dispensary, offering a one-of-a-kind retail experience with a bold, modern design.
Built circa 1908, the four-story, 15,000-square-foot building earned a spot on the National Register of Historic Places for its role in music history.
From 1939 until 1987, it housed Record Rendezvous, where owner Leo Mintz and disc jockey Alan Freed helped to popularize the term “rock ‘n’ roll.”
After an extensive historic preservation and retrofit project, the building has reopened as a showcase for adaptive reuse. The street-level retail dispensary anchors Klutch’s operations, while the first two floors also accommodate offices, storage and packaging. Plans are for the third and fourth floors to be converted into apartments.
Klutch is already a major player in Ohio’s cannabis industry, operating two state-of-the-art cultivation centers that supply premium products to more than 150 dispensaries statewide (see “Growing to Meet Demand,” pg. 55).
Along with locations in Canton, Lorain and Loudonville – and a soon-to-open
store in Northfield Village – the new Cleveland flagship adds a high-profile property to the company’s portfolio.
“The reason I first bought the building was because I thought there needs to be something in this space,” says Adam Thomarios, founder/CEO of Klutch Cannabis and vice president of Copleybased construction company Thomarios. “What better than a dispensary that can marry modern culture with modern medicine and rock ‘n’ roll?”
The project, launched in late 2023, required several rounds of approvals from the City of Cleveland, Ohio’s Division of Cannabis Control, Ohio’s Historic Preservation Office and Cleveland Landmarks Commission. After navigating that complex process, Klutch secured its dispensary license in July. The store opened on August 1.
Klutch moves
Thomarios says he never anticipated that he would work in the cannabis
sector, but in 2016 he recognized a golden opportunity when a group from out-of-state sought a strategic partner in Ohio to apply for a license in the state. Though not able to sell retail at that time, the partners did gain cultivation and processing licenses.
A couple of years later, Thomarios found himself thoroughly enjoying the business and the process, and he bought out his partners in 2019. The following year, he changed the company name to Klutch, expanded the cultivation center the company had built in 2018 on Home Avenue in Akron, and began hiring additional employees.
During that same time span, Thomarios had his eyes on the former Record Rendezvous property, which was then owned by one of his former partners. He thought the building could be an ideal retail space with a prime location across the street from Rocket Arena and JACK Cleveland Casino, with House of
Photo
Caitlin Bourque
Proud Partner at KLUTCH CANNABIS CLEVELAND
Our members represent the largest investment in fixed assets in the Northeast Ohio Area.
Our members represent the largest investment in fixed assets in the Northeast Ohio Area
Becoming a member gives you the tools to increase ROI and access the most up-todate information, training, education and members only benefits and savings
Becoming a member gives you the tools to increase ROI and access the most up-todate information, training, education and members only benefits and savings.
Design That Rejuvenates Downtown Energy
Blues Cleveland just one block north down East 4th Street.
“We weren’t in retail at that time, but we decided to apply aggressively for retail to become a vertical company,” Thomarios recalls. “We ended up applying 73 times for separate properties in the state with 73 different floor plans, site plans and security plans over four or five months, and we applied more than any other group in the state.”
Knowing it was “a risk and a gamble,” Thomarios executed an option to purchase the building in the hopes of eventually opening a dispensary there. When the company won a lawsuit with the state on a couple of technicalities regarding licenses, including one in Cuyahoga County, they were able to locate a dispensary in that building.
“We’re excited to be a partner of the Downtown Cleveland Alliance to make that district a workable, livable, playable space downtown,” Thomarios says.
Rock ‘n’ roll history on display
Recognizing the building’s storied past, the project received $250,000 in Historic Preservation Tax Credits from the State of Ohio, which ultimately allowed Klutch to create a retail storefront unlike any other dispensary in Ohio.
Assisted by historic preservation consulting firm Naylor Wellman, AVID Architects (formerly MPG Architects) worked to return the look of the building’s original façade and match how it would have appeared in the 1940s when it was one of the first places in the world where rock ‘n’ roll records could be purchased.
ROCK ‘N’ ROLL ROOTS Owner Leo Mintz (center) stands outside Record Rendezvous, the landmark store that, along with DJ Alan Freed, helped popularize the term “rock ‘n’ roll.”
Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
HISTORIC
“The façade is iconic,” says Pete Nischt, vice president of compliance and communications for Klutch Cannabis. “We have an amazing photo in our lobby of Leo Mintz standing outside smoking a cigarette in front, and it’s one of the most iconic downtown Cleveland images ever.”
Not only were curved front display windows installed to match its past appearance, but during construction, the project team removed years of build-up to reveal the original terrazzo tile entryway.
“One of our crew uncovered the words ‘Record Rendezvous’ in the tile, so we had the tile company come out and see if it could be restored,” recalls George Brkich, project manager with Thomarios. “They were able to clean it off, and the photos show it is the same as it was 75 years ago.”
Because of the historic nature of the building, Klutch did not have to cover the front windows with a light film or dark shades as most dispensaries do. Instead, the windows feature a pair of retail vignettes. One is of a Midcentury Modern listening room, complete with a cozy chair, a gramophone, a set of headphones and popular albums lined up on a set of shelves. The other is a display of record players emblazoned with the Klutch logo.
“We wanted items that made sense for this building, for this asset, and for historic preservation purposes,” Nischt says. Inside, interior design firm Richardson Design worked with AVID Architects to provide an eye-catching and inviting retail environment. A colorful mural along the front wall pays homage to the building’s rock ‘n’ roll past, while a custom walnut reception desk features a gold script “Cleveland” as well as a backdrop composed of recycled black vinyl 45s.
“Working through the previous Klutch retail locations, we have developed a distinct brand style with rich materials and warmth that offers a comfortable learning experience for customers,” says Elise Biebelhausen, senior interior designer with Richardson Design. “The design is reminiscent of speakeasys and cigar lounges of the past. We wanted to keep the brand design consistent but layer in a bit of rock ‘n’ roll for the Cleveland location.”
Unique design elements include speaker fabric-wrapped panels and vintage-inspired stereo console cabinets that house interactive technology for product education, while a red neon sign above the check-out counter adds a red glow to the entire space.
Nearby, a display wall features record albums by Northeast Ohio musical artists, such as The Pretenders, The Waitresses,
Growing to Meet Demand
To supply its dispensaries and produce premium cannabis products, Klutch Cannabis owns and operates two state-of-the-art cultivation centers, designed by AVID Architects and built by Thomarios. The combined facilities total 200,000 square feet, with about 70,000 square feet to grow plants and room to expand.
Several phases of expansion have been completed to the first facility built in Akron in 2018. The second facility (pictured above) in Cuyahoga Falls was finished in March, after just under a year of demolition and construction to an existing building.
“It’s all indoor cultivation space, so everything is a controlled environment that is engineered to the specific needs of growing good cannabis,” says Mike Lentz, vice president of production operations for Klutch Cannabis. “We control everything from the lights, the environment, temperature, humidity, irrigation and drainage.”
There are 20 different flower rooms to accommodate the plants as they go through different growth stages during a 16-week cycle. The rooms are double-stacked with tiered growing at different levels. Each room contains about 2,000 plants, and all of the systems are interlinked to communicate with each other. Each facility records 30 to 40 harvests throughout the year
“We can deliver the exact amount of water that we want with the specific amount of fertilizer to the plant to the milliliter,” Lentz says. “It gives us the ability to control and manipulate plant growth throughout its life in different stages to push the needle in growing good, quality cannabis.” By the time the cannabis reaches the dispensaries, Klutch’s staff has extracted and processed the flowers into a diverse range of products from smokables to edibles such as different types of mints and chocolate bars and drops to concentrates, vape carts and tinctures. –Christopher Johnston
Photo by Nate O’Donnell
HEADQUARTERS Klutch Cannabis has transformed the former Record Rendezvous building into its flagship dispensary. The project earned Historic Preservation Tax Credits and restored original façade details, such as terrazzo tile and curved display windows.
Photo by Mark Watt
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The Black Keys and Jessica Lea Mayfield, as well as notable albums recorded locally, such as Meatloaf’s Bat Out of Hell.
“We needed to have that attention to detail and landed on featuring a lot of cool older and newer records by musicians who were locally famous and went on to national recognition,” Nischt says.
foam panels along one wall that intentionally ties into the rock ‘n’ roll theme.
Upstairs, Klutch’s headquarters incorporates a reception area, private offices and a collaborative open work space, plus a meeting room featuring black acoustic
“It’s a design element that’s very subtle, bringing in the acoustic foam like you’d find in a recording studio,” says Ian Jones, partner and project architect with AVID Architects. “It’s also great for acoustics.”
Construction challenges
When Brkich first toured the building, Thomarios conveyed his bold vision for the building that had been empty since 2014 and was a complete mess with rotted floors, leaking ceilings and a disaster of a basement. He recalls turning to him afterward, now fully aware of the complete rebuild ahead and saying, “You want to do what?”
Work on the building started from the top down with a brand new roof. The old roof had leaked so much that three quarters of the fourth floor had to be replaced, and a structural engineer was brought in to rework all of the joists supporting the floor.
Next, the structure required a new elevator, along with its own back-up generator. “Normally, when you build a building from the ground up, the elevator shaft is the first thing that goes in,” Brkich says. “We put in a new elevator shaft, and we also had to have our structural engineer come up with a shoring plan because the floor wasn’t strong enough to support all the materi-
CREATIVE COMFORT Warm materials and interactive technology create a welcoming learning environment for shoppers.
Photo
Mark Watt
The design team created interiors inspired by speakeasies, cigar lounges and rock ’n’ roll themes, using materials like vinyl records and vintage stereo cabinets to connect to the building’s history.
als. So as they brought in the block for each floor, we had to ensure that it was structurally sound to support all of the material that they brought in, and that was a big challenge.”
To meet historic preservation requirements, the existing original plaster columns, flooring, drywall and ceilings had to be patched or preserved wherever possible.
One of the most sizable challenges, Brkich says, was the need to enhance the existing fire suppression system, including the addition of a significant fire pump in the basement.
“We had to supplement that lack of the city infrastructure for the fire suppression into the code and extend the system for the whole building,” he says. “The City of Cleveland didn’t have enough water pressure in the existing line, so we had to invest in a fire pump to get enough pressure. In addition to that upgrade would be the generator that we needed on the roof and all new HVAC and, because of the weight and the size, we had to re-engineer the roof trusses.”
Outside, the masonry contractor refurbished brick walls, replacing many damaged bricks in the front and back. According to Brkich, 100% of the bricks were ground out, re-tuckpointed and cleaned, and all of the windows were replaced.
Conclusions
Looking back on the completed project, Thomarios says he’s pleased with the results. “I don’t believe there’s another dispensary in the U.S. similar to ours because of such historical significance,” he says. “By far we have the best location and stories.”
Nischt agrees, noting that the building’s rock ‘n’ roll past provides a distinctive and fitting space for the new dispensary. “This project allows us to be more present and consumer-oriented on the storefront level, which is cool,” Nischt says. “It allows us to grow our brand and brand recognition, as we’re continuing to provide clean, safe cannabis for an increasing number of Ohio cannabis consumers.”
Photo by Caitlin Bourque
Photo by Caitlin Bourque
Photo by Mark Watt
StoreTEK Scales Up with New $4.7 Million Facility Custom equipment maker doubles its space, boosting capacity for larger projects
By Dan Holland | Photos by Mark Watt
Bigger machines, bigger ideas and now, bigger space. This June, StoreTEK Engineering & Manufacturing, a firm that engineers, designs and manufactures factory and industrial automation equipment, customized equipment and tools for numerous industries, unveiled its new state-of-the-art home at 4566 Crystal Parkway in Kent. The $4.7 million, 33,000-square-foot facility replaces three buildings the company formerly leased at 399 Commerce St. in Tallmadge that totaled approximately 17,000 square feet.
“The need for the company was to expand – to show off our strengths with the new building,” says StoreTEK Partner John LaGuardia. “We just needed the extra push to move onto the next platform, and that’s why we decided to move forward with this project. “We bought this land seven years ago, and we had been located in Tallmadge, and we became friends with the city itself. We grew with them and wanted to stay with them. So, we moved from five miles down the road to our new location.”
Some of the company’s needs included higher ceilings for extended crane access and the ability to maneuver and park semi-trailer trucks inside the facility and on the grounds.
“It was a bit cramped in our previous facility, and we couldn’t get a semi-truck in and out of the lot,” explains Nate Cain, engineer and project manager for StoreTEK. “We had a gravel lot there, and so, from a sales perspective, it was a little more difficult in bringing in a highprofile customer, whereas this building is very aesthetically pleasing.”
StoreTEK’s largest business segments consist of the rubber (tire), automotive and semi-tractor trailer industry.
“We supply conveyers, gantries, grippers – anything that moves product,” explains LaGuardia. “We do custom design, starting from engineering all the way through the process of manufacturing to the install in the plants.”
“The new facility provides taller height under the cranes,” adds Cain. “We had a couple of smaller overhead cranes in the old facility. But here, we have taller ceilings and taller cranes, which allows us to get involved in bigger projects.”
Teaming up
Campbell Construction Inc., located in Wooster and Wadsworth, was brought aboard as the design-build general contractor in early 2023, and handled the entire design and permitting process. Construction work began in May 2024, with substantial completion reached in about one year’s time.
“We are a true design-build general contractor, but we’re different,” explains
Jeff Stevenson, vice president of business development for Campbell Construction. “We have an on-staff architect and design team, so this project was designed and drawn in-house. We also self-perform most construction trades, including utility installation, excavation, concrete, masonry, carpentry, steel erection and the siding, and roofing on Butler preengineered buildings, which leads to better scheduling, pricing and quality.”
Financing + partnerships
According to StoreTEK Treasurer Bruce Sandacz, financing for the new facility came about through partnerships with a number of financial institutions, namely Portage Community Bank and Cascade Capital Corporation.
“Getting aboard with Portage Community Bank is one of the best things we’ve ever done; they’ve been very instrumental in working with us and helping our growth, and they’ve been a partner through the whole process,” notes Sandacz. “They’re the main force behind the loan facility right now.”
ENGINEERING GROWTH StoreTEK’s new, 33,000-square-foot facility doubles its previous space, allowing the company to handle larger projects, accommodate taller cranes and maneuver trucks indoors.
“We also connected with Cascade Capital in Akron, as there’s an Ohio 166 Loan, which is a maximum $1 million loan funded by the state of Ohio,” he continues. “It’s a fund for small businesses for real estate and capital equipment, and we qualified for that and were able to do that through Cascade Capital. There was also a representative from the SBA 504 loan program.”
Other sources included funding through JobsOhio, which provided a $25,000 grant to cover the cost of a new filtration system for the company’s plasma burner.
Sandacz also acknowledges assistance received from the Portage Development Board. “Brad Erhart, who is president of the Portage Development Board, has been very instrumental about pointing us in the right direction and giving insight on what we should do and how we should do things,” says Sandacz. “I just can’t say enough about what the Portage Development Board has done for us.”
Although the building address is in Kent, Sandacz notes that the land the new facility was built on is part of a Community Reinvestment Area (CRA) located within the city of Tallmadge.
“It’s a legal designation by the county and city to establish an area where, if you build and develop a property and add so many jobs, in doing so, you can
get an abatement on the real estate taxes for a certain number of years,” explains Sandacz. “That interested me, because I figured if we could get an abatement for seven years, that would basically pay for the land, which was very appealing.”
“With the City of Tallmadge – in working with their building department – they
“The high ceilings and the two 10-ton cranes were two major needs we had. We also have the capacity to double this space if needed, and that was a huge part of what we wanted.”
John LaGuardia StoreTEK Engineering & Manufacturing
were very helpful in expediting things and working with us to make sure that everything was on track,” he adds. “Kudos to the mayor and economic development team, as they all helped us out a lot.”
Layout + design
The Butler pre-engineered building includes 27,000 square feet of manufacturing space. An office suite, located in the front of the building, consists of two floors of 3,000 square feet each.
Visitors entering the vestibule will encounter a number of offices, a con-
ference room, break room, coffee bar area and restrooms. A staircase leads up to the second floor of the office suite, which features an office bullpen area with windows overlooking the manufacturing area, executive offices, a utility/ server room and restrooms.
A set of metal stairs lead from the exterior of the second floor directly into the manufacturing area. The manufacturing space features four overhead doors, two 10-ton bridge cranes mounted on tracks above, clerestory windows, exhaust fans and a Cambridge industrial heating unit.
Interior design considerations
A clean, modern aesthetic with neutral colors, accent walls and products chosen for durability and ease of cleanability were applied in the office suite. “As part of our design-build approach to a project, we put together all the samples and helped select the finishes,” notes Stevenson. “We have an interior decorator that works with us and helps pick out material and color selections.”
Building systems
The pre-engineered steel-frame structure was designed with a single slope roof.
“The building is 30 feet high at the eve and 33 feet on the high side,” explains Stevenson. “It’s a single slope rather than a double-slope building,
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and we do that intentionally because, aesthetically, it looks better and saves construction costs. You only have gutters, downspouts and storm piping on one side of the building, and it also eliminates the use of a ridge assembly. There are a number of things that make it better from a design standpoint.”
The first-floor office suite features burnished, semi-polished concrete floors and a poured epoxy floor in the break room. Second-level offices stand atop a poured concrete floor. Additional office flooring includes LVT and carpet tile. An exposed concrete floor extends throughout the manufacturing area.
“With a pre-engineered system, you don’t have to pick out a roof system or siding system, as it’s already been pre-engineered to work together,” notes Stevenson. “Every order that we put in is custom-engineered and designed by Butler Manufacturing.”
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Four split HVAC systems, utilizing a second-floor utility room and exterior units, serve the office areas. The manufacturing area is heated by a single Cambridge Industrial unit heater.
Exteriors
An exterior second-floor balcony, accessible from the second-floor office area, extends above a concrete groundlevel patio.
Exterior walls consist of a combination of split-face block CMU along lower levels, with pre-engineered metal panels extending up to the roofline.
A Butler MR-24 standing seam
A 20-space asphalt parking lot sits at the front of the property, while an asphalt drive and pad, which includes 10 additional parking spaces, sits at the rear.
Green by nature
Although LEED Certification was not sought on the project, many energy-efficient elements were included in the design. “By its nature, it can be called ‘green’ as it’s sustainable, as most of the steel is from recycled sources,” says Stevenson. “The Galvalume roof is reflective, and so it doesn’t transfer as much heat. In the summertime you want the heat reflectivity without the heat gain.”
“The building is also very well insulated, with nine-and-a-half inches of insulation in the roof and six inches in the walls,” he adds. “The windows are aluminum tube units with double-pane tinted glass with blue frames. Overall, it’s a very well-insulated building.”
Additional features such as room occupancy sensors, motion switches and exhaust fans in the manufacturing space set on timers contribute to the energyefficient nature of the building.
Improved efficiencies
The company previously had to pass on certain projects due to limitations posed in its former facility.
“The high ceilings and the two 10-ton cranes were two major needs we had,” says LaGuardia. “We also have the capacity to double this space if needed, and that was a huge part of what we wanted. It’s all one open space [in the manufacturing area] now, whereas before, everything was sectioned off, so you couldn’t see what was going on throughout the facility.”
The rear wall of the new building can be removed to expand the square footage of the manufacturing space if needed, notes LaGuardia. An additional two acres, for a total of six acres, were purchased at the rear of the lot to allow for future expansion.
“We wanted to be able to go after the large projects we lost out on in the past because we didn’t have the lifting capabilities and adequate office space with room to grow,” he adds. “Before, we
were packed into the offices and sharing space. Now, we have our own spaces in the office suite.”
The nature of the business requires the ability to accommodate interior truck deliveries – a feature not available at the previous facility.
“Often, in our old facility, we were loading and unloading very expensive equipment, and during foul weather, that could get tricky,” explains Cain. “There were several times when we had
“The new building is helping us attract potential employees, and the presentation to clients is much better for us now. Our potential for growth is very positive.”
Bruce Sandacz StoreTEK Engineering & Manufacturing
to cancel a shipment because it was pouring down rain, and we would try to tarp over things while we were unloading a truck. Now, we can bring a truck indoors and load or unload it.”
Working together
In the end, all parties involved worked together to deliver a first-rate manufacturing facility.
“During the planning process, there were a lot of people who assisted,” says Stevenson. “The City of Tallmadge was easy to work with in getting plans and going through the process. The
Portage Development Board helped with any tax abatements, and Portage Community Bank – they were all key partners in the process.”
“Everyone is getting back into the routine of doing their everyday jobs, but as a whole, everyone has been really excited about the new building,” Cain says. “Everyone has been able to give their feedback and set up their workstations how they would like to have them. Overall, it’s been a very good experience, and everyone seems to enjoy the new building.”
“Campbell Construction did an excellent job,” adds Sandacz. “They did an excellent job designing and constructing our building and worked very well with Portage Community Bank – and I’m very happy with how everything turned out. We’re in a good neighborhood with good neighbors, and the location is great. The new building is helping us attract potential employees, and the presentation to clients is much better for us now. Our potential for growth is very positive.”
“We ship product all over the world, and we wanted to stay in this area, as we’re all from here, and we wanted to keep this as a central point for everyone,” says LaGuardia. “We’re going to keep growing jobs, as there’s a good talent pool here of young people who want to work in the trades and engineering, as we have two great colleges nearby.”
“StoreTEK thanks all of its employees,” he adds. “Without them, this would not have happened. Special thanks to Marty Stead and Nate Cain, our building project managers.” BLOCK + BALANCE The
BUILDING GREEN
Designing for a Sustainable Future Examining the role of landscaping in healthy communities
By Elaine Willis Unilock
Over the past 25 years, the sustainable design of the built environment has evolved dramatically. What once focused primarily on reducing energy consumption and water use is now expanding to include the full lifecycle of building materials, climate resilience and human well-being.
Within this broader shift, landscaping products and outdoor spaces are playing an increasingly important role in shaping projects that not only respect the environment but also enhance community life.
Materiality
Building materials are now seen as one of the most important factors in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Traditionally, materials were evaluated in broad categories, with little scrutiny on their individual impact. Today, transparency and accountability are taking center stage.
Industry standards such as LEED certification and the Architecture & Design Materials Pledge encourage lifecycle assessments and Environmental Product Declarations, which detail a product’s carbon footprint from raw material extraction to end-of-life disposal. These tools highlight the concept of embodied carbon – the emissions tied to creating, transporting, installing and maintaining a product.
Landscaping products can play a vital role here. Pavers, retaining walls and other hardscape solutions designed with low-carbon manufacturing methods and recycled or recyclable content support long-term decarbonization goals. Materials that can be reused or reimagined at the end of their life contribute to a circular economy, reducing waste and creating opportunities for more sustainable construction practices.
Resilience
Resilience – designing spaces to withstand and recover from extreme events – is no longer optional. With weather patterns becoming increasingly unpre-
dictable, projects are expected to handle everything from flooding to heat waves. Property investors and developers are also recognizing that resilient projects reduce financial risks and enhance longterm value.
Landscaping products can provide practical solutions. Permeable pavers, for example, allow stormwater to filter naturally into the ground, reducing flood risks while supporting groundwater recharge. Carefully selected paving and retaining wall systems help direct water flow and manage drainage effectively. Beyond flood control, diverse plantings and thoughtfully designed outdoor spaces can support biodiversity, giving local ecosystems a better chance to adapt to changing conditions.
In this way, outdoor landscapes are no longer just decorative. They are integral to community safety, property protection and ecological health.
Human benefits
Sustainable design has always included a “people” component, but in recent years the health and wellness of occupants have gained greater attention. Certifications like the WELL Building
Standard and Fitwel emphasize how spaces influence physical and mental well-being. Elements such as natural light, fresh air and access to outdoor areas are increasingly seen as essential rather than optional.
Landscaping directly supports this vision. Outdoor gathering spaces, walking paths and green courtyards provide opportunities for social connection, exercise and relaxation. Biophilic design – the principle of connecting people to nature – has grown in popularity, particularly after the pandemic underscored the value of safe, accessible outdoor environments. Whether in workplaces, schools or community centers, landscapes that encourage people to step outside can improve mental health, reduce stress and foster stronger communities.
The role of landscaping products
Hardscaping products, such as pavers, walls and outdoor features, sit at the intersection of materiality, resilience and human benefit. They help manage environmental challenges such as stormwater runoff, reduce the carbon impact of construction when designed sustainably, and create spaces that encourage healthy lifestyles and community interaction.
By integrating durable and sustainable landscaping products into projects, designers can deliver long-term environmental benefits while enhancing property value and community well-being. Outdoor spaces built with these materials serve as both functional infrastructure and welcoming gathering places.
Elaine Willis is director of sustainability with Unilock. She can be reached at Elaine.Willis@ unilock.com or 647-376-6402. For more info, visit commercial.unilock.com.
Photo courtesy of Unilock
Permeable Without Compromise
Designing to be environmentally friendly doesn’t mean you have to compromise your vision.
With a variety of sizes, colors, and finishes available in our permeable paver collection, you can create sustainable stormwater management solutions that seamlessly coordinate with your designs. Incorporate these systems into new developments or retrofit existing spaces.
Connect with a Territory Manager for Samples, Information & CEU Seminars.
Rainwater naturally fl ows between the paver joints and into the subbase, reducing runo .
BUILDING GREEN
From Compliance to Conservation with ERVs
New
standard in multifamily ventilation reduces energy waste while improving air quality
By R. Scott Sustar Denk Associates
Energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) have become a preferred tool for increasing energy efficiency while also improving indoor air quality in both new construction and renovated multi-family housing projects.
With the adoption of the 2024 Ohio Building Code and related codes, architects, engineers and owners are finding ERVs not only beneficial but in many cases necessary for code compliance.
Both the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) commercial chapters and the 2019 ASHRAE 90.1 standard have codified the role of ERVs in non-transient dwelling units, such as apartments and condominiums, where continuous mechanical ventilation is required for occupant health.
The 2021 IECC Section C403.7.4.1 and ASHRAE 90.1-2019 Section 6.5.6.1.1 establish clear criteria for when energy recovery is required. As a result, ERVs are increasingly not just a design choice but a compliance necessity, and early integration into the mechanical concept is essential to avoid costly redesigns.
At their core, ERVs function by transferring both sensible (temperature)
and latent (moisture) energy between the exhaust and incoming ventilation airstreams. In cold weather, the warm, stale exhaust air passes through a heat exchange core, transferring much of its
With
the adoption of the 2024 Ohio Building Code
and related codes, architects, engineers and owners are finding ERVs not only beneficial but in many cases necessary for code compliance.
energy to the incoming fresh air – preheating it and adding moisture before it enters the occupied space. In warmer, humid climates, the flow of energy is the opposite. The cooler, drier exhaust air precools and dehumidifies the incoming
warm, humid outdoor air. This energy exchange effectively reduces the load on the HVAC system, thereby lowering operating costs while maintaining ventilation rates that meet ASHRAE 62.2 indoor air quality standards.
There are two primary approaches in multi-family buildings, and these include centralized ERVs and in-unit individual ERVs. Central ERV systems are often located in a mechanical room or on the roof and serve multiple apartments via centrally located supply and exhaust risers. The central ERV permits the majority of the maintenance to occur outside the dwelling unit. It also ensures consistent performance across all dwelling units, and it prevents tenant tampering. However, centralized ERVs do require careful duct design and installation to balance the airflow. The duct routing can be more space-constrained and complex, particularly in renovations.
Delivering thoughtful, individualized, comprehensive solutions to the challenges facing our clients.
Delivering thoughtful, individualized, comprehensive solutions to the engineering challenges facing our clients.
Delivering thoughtful, individualized, comprehensive solutions to the engineering challenges facing our clients.
503 E 200th Street Cleveland, OH 44119
503 E 200th Street Cleveland, OH 44119
503 E 200th Street Cleveland, OH 44119
P: (216) 531
P: (216) 531
P: (216) 531 -8880
W: www.denkassoc.com
W: www.denkassoc.com
W: www.denkassoc.com
Individual, in-unit ERVs are smaller units installed within each apartment, often in a mechanical closet, utility room or ceiling space. These can give residents more direct control over ventilation, eliminate the risk of cross-contamination between units and avoid large duct shafts. On the other hand, they increase the total quantity of equipment in the building, spreading maintenance responsibilities and potentially requiring coordination with residents for filter and core cleaning.
The upside is that the potential energy savings from an ERV in a typical 1,000-square-foot, two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment can be substantial. Continuous ventilation at code-required rates can account for a significant portion of a unit’s annual heating and cooling load. Without energy recovery, this fresh air is conditioned from the full outdoor temperature to the indoor setpoint, resulting in perpetual energy consumption. An Energy Star Certified ERV, with 60-80% total effectiveness, can reclaim most of that energy. In the cooling season, the unit can significantly reduce the required cooling energy usage by precooling and drying the outdoor air before it enters the system. In a heatingdominant climate such as Northeast Ohio, the ERV could save around 100 therms of natural gas, plus around 600 kWh of electricity annually. Across a large multi-family building, these savings scale considerably, improving both operational costs and sustainability metrics.
careful design and communication. Centralized systems may reduce long-term maintenance costs and simplify service access. Conversely, buildings with decentralized HVAC systems or limited shaft space will be good candidates for individual ERVs. Whichever path the building design takes, integrating the ERV into the architectural and mechanical design from the earliest stages ensures both maximum energy savings and code compliance.
Despite these benefits, ERVs present several challenges in the multi-family environment. Mechanical closets are often space-constrained, and ERVs require adequate clearance for installation and service. Identifying the space and budget constraints early on is a must. Maintenance is another consideration. Filters should be changed every three to six months, and the heat exchanger core may need annual cleaning. The property management team or onsite staff will need to consider
this expense. First cost is obviously higher compared to systems without energy recovery ventilators. However, the design engineer will often use an energy recovery ventilator system in place of local exhaust fans, which can offset some of the initial expense.
Nevertheless, the design team can mitigate these challenges early on with
The result benefits residents and owners. Residents enjoy pretreated, fresh filtered air year-round. Owners benefit from reduced utility costs, improved building marketability and compliance with the latest energy codes. As energy efficiency becomes a defining factor in building performance, the ERV stands out as a practical, code-aligned and resident-friendly solution for multi-family occupancies.
R. Scott Sustar, PE, is a mechanical engineer and principal with Denk Associates. He can be reached by phone at 216.531.8880 or email at robert.sustar@denkassoc.com.
BUILDING GREEN
Living Design Shapes MidTown Hub
Designed as a catalyst for innovation, community engagement and workforce development, the MidTown Collaboration Center in Cleveland serves as both a dynamic hub and a visual and functional representation of shared growth. To support that mission, Plantscaping was brought in to design and install a thoughtful, modern interior plant program that complements the space’s energetic design and layered purpose.
“The MidTown Collaboration Center is bright, bold and full of momentum,” says Todd Silverman, president of Plantscaping. “We knew our plant design needed to rise to that level – visually seamless, functionally durable and expressive in its own right.”
Underneath the striking yellow monumental staircase that anchors the space, a living island of greenery now grounds the vibrant palette with natural calm. Large-scale groupings of low-maintenance dracaena, bird’s-nest ferns and lush tropical foliage create sculptural presence while softening the high-contrast architectural lines. The beds are neatly framed by the monumental stairs, which acts as an anchor within the sun-drenched atrium.
Elsewhere throughout the facility, a repeating rhythm of schefflera and other upright plants fills custom-designed rectangular planters. These installations bring natural energy into waiting areas, breakout spaces and lounge zones, enhancing comfort without distracting from the bold visual language of the space.
The planter design itself was custom-built to reflect the building’s visual DNA – crisp white finishes echoing the modernist envelope, while varied heights and placements create visual interest without obstructing sightlines or movement.
“This is a space designed to bring the community together across multiple sectors, companies and disciplines,” Grace Czerniawski, the project’s lead designer, explains. “The plantings soften the space, creating an atmosphere [to] encourage the growth of connection and collaboration.”
Maintenance was also a key consideration. The plant selections were chosen for their ability to thrive in indirect light and variable indoor conditions. Supported by Plantscaping’s ongoing care program, the greenery will remain healthy, sculptural and consistent with the building’s polished image.
In an environment centered on education, entrepreneurship, and community health, the MidTown Collaboration Center’s plant design serves as a quiet but powerful reminder: growth – literal and figurative –needs space, care and thoughtful design. –Matt Mains
Photos by Jason Pirtle
VANTAGE POINT
Experts weigh in on industry issues
Sustainable Exteriors Made Simple with ACM
By Kevin Campopiano Campo Roof
To achieve the highest levels of exterior envelope integrity in a new or renovated building, consider a two-fold approach: first, the use of exterior materials which provide optimum design flexibility, longevity/durability, thermal efficiency and, of course, sustainability in all its expressions.
Second (and equally important given the challenges of our Northeast Ohio weather), consider tight coordination of the two key elements of that envelope – the roof and the exterior walls. “Tying together” these two exterior systems in terms of design, specification and construction offers the highest level of complementary, life-of-building quality assurance.
Today, full-custom exterior aluminum cladding and trim (ACM) continues to gain popularity versus more traditional masonry, concrete and stucco. Even without steadily rising masonry material and labor costs, ACM offers a compelling alternative — especially when factoring in much-needed design flexibility (so vital for today’s more complex architectural brand design trends), faster installation timelines, lower labor costs and reduced structural load requirements – not to mention the opportunity for improved insulation and vapor sealing.
Cost savings
Concrete and masonry costs are up approximately 3.9% compared with November of 2022 (www.gordian. com; May 15, 2025). But a side-by-side cost and time analysis of ACM versus masonry shows far more significant savings without compromising aesthetics or durability.
At Campo Roof, for example, we’re seeing as much as a 20% increase in concrete/stucco/masonry building costs
ON THE RISE Aluminum cladding and trim (ACM) continues to gain popularity versus more traditional masonry, concrete and stucco.
overall. Consider: a job that would require one week to install ACM generally requires two to three weeks for masonry – more than double the time. And as more projects are now squeezed into ever-smaller job sites, the large laydown area required for brick impedes other trades trying to complete their jobs. Not so with ACM. Not only is it more efficient in terms of labor, but it also avoids additional concrete washout and pollutant runoff onsite.
Versatility
Quality ACM products consist of lightweight aluminum sheet that can be cut, bent, routed, curved, perforated, joined, adhered and/or fastened depending on application and design intent.
Whether fabricated alone or layered with fire-retardant/insulating materials to create panels, myriad appropriate applications include cladding, soffit and canopy, curtain wall, flashing and capping, column wraps, etc. From clean, simple facings to the boldest curves or geometric designs, ACM allows tremendous architectural design freedom, while offering choices of core types, finishes, mounting and attachment systems and multiple options to meet AAMA performance standards. It also gives design teams far better control over the final finished appearance. Color and texture variation in natural materials like stone mean a finished façade may appear quite different from architectural samples. ACM finishes are absolutely consistent, predictable and wear-resistant.
Sustainability
Supporting sustainable design goals is where ACM really gets interesting. Unlike many other approaches, corrosion-resistant ACM does not require replacement during a building’s lifecycle. As such, it offers very positive impacts on the life cycle assessment (LCA) of a building. Look for products with an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) in accordance with International ISO Standards, which certifies a service life of 50 years.
Used in ventilated and sealed exterior envelope systems, ACM – in combination with various exterior sealants
Photo courtesy of Campo Roof
BUILDING GREEN
and insulation materials – can vastly improve thermal efficiency to reduce heating/cooling loads year-round.
Such lightweight systems also require less supporting material, achieving a lower total use of materials in exterior envelope assembly. At the same time, lightweight panels can require fewer penetrations through continuous insulation
required by ASHRAE 90.1 standards, which improves the thermal efficacy of the entire wall as it reduces VOC and SVOC emissions from installed panels.
As ACM is pre-painted, it also eliminates job site prep/coating and that additional VOC release. The use of “cool” pigments, which reflect solar radiation, reduces heat transfer through the clad-
ding. Generally speaking, ACMs are 100% recyclable material. They can be easily dismantled from component panels into the various recyclable components.
Think holistically about exteriors
Given that both roof and cladding must perform seamlessly if the entire exterior envelope is to fulfill its core function, the value of a single-source, “turnkey” approach to building exterior design/construction should not be underestimated.
By approaching roof and façade as one continuous exterior system, we achieve assurance of:
• Building materials compatibility/complementary performance
SERIES OVERHEAD FANS
• Weathertight envelope, vapor sealing and optimal HVAC operation
• Streamlined design/construction process – fewer issues/overruns
• Greater simplicity for clients before, during and after design/build
• Longer possible project lifespan: 50-plus years
Obviously, selecting such a contractor requires assurance that all requisite skills and experience are available across both roofing and cladding disciplines. This includes custom design/fabrication capabilities in-house, to take full advantage of the enormous variety of aluminum skin materials, insulation systems, mounting solutions and finish options currently available.
Cost, sustainability and design versatility are the main drivers behind the continuing shift to ACMs. Wise owners understand the vital importance of tying roof systems and exterior systems together seamlessly for maximum trouble-free building life, energy efficiency and cost effectiveness, which gives new meaning to “thinking outside the box.”
Kevin Campopiano is president of Campo Roof (www.camporoof.com). Campo Roof is one of Northeast Ohio’s leading roofing companies, now in its second generation of family ownership, with over 30 years of experience in commercial roofing for hundreds of businesses and institutions.
CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS REPORT
Updated info on important projects in the region, provided courtesy of ConstructionWire (www.constructionwire.com)
DETAILS: Plans call for the conversion of two former industrial buildings to create multifamily buildings with 134 units on upper floors and commercial spaces at streel level.
Estimated Schedule (as of 7/29/2025)
STAGE: Early Construction
CONSTRUCTION START: 7/2025
CONSTRUCTION END: Q4/2026
BID DUE DATE: N/A
OWNER, PROPERTY MANAGER: GBX Group
Contact: Brian Cappelli, President of Real Estate bcappelli@gbxgroup.com 2101 Superior Ave. Cleveland, OH 44114
DETAILS: Plans call for the construction of a multifamily development with 62 units for seniors and senior veterans. Units will be one-bedroom. Units will be affordable supportive housing units for those aged 55 and older, with 25
units reserved for veterans. On-site supportive services will be provided by the Benjamin Rose Institute and the Veterans Administration.
Estimated Schedule (as of 8/4/2025)
STAGE: Starts in 1-3 months
CONSTRUCTION START: 9/2025
CONSTRUCTION END: Q4/2026
BID DUE DATE: N/A
DEVELOPER, GC: CHN Housing Partners
Contact: Joe Hall, Vice President, Real Estate Development
jhall@chnhousingpartners.org
2999 Payne Ave. Cleveland, OH 44114
P: 216-574-7100
DEVELOPER, PROPERTY MANAGER: Emerald Development and Economic Network (EDEN) 7812 Madison Ave. Cleveland, OH 44102
P: 216-961-9690 F: 216-651-4066
ARCHITECT: HDS Architecture (formerly Herman Gibans Fodor, Inc) 1939 W. 25th St., 300 Cleveland, OH 44113 P: 216-696-3460
DETAILS: Plans call for the construction of a fourstory 53-unit affordable apartment building including 1-, 2- and 3-bedroom units. Amenities include a community room, fitness center, library/computer room, playground and supportive ser vices offices.
Estimated Schedule (as of 8/12/2025)
STAGE: Planning
CONSTRUCTION END: N/A
BID DUE DATE: N/A
DEVELOPER, OWNER: Northern Real Estate Urban Ventures
Contact: Gina Merritt, Principal gmerritt@nreuv.com
1401 New York Ave., NE., Ste. 5465
Washington, DC 20002
P: 202-480-2045
GC: Mistick Construction 4415 Euclid Ave. Cleveland, OH 44103
Construction project reports are provided with permission through ConstructionWire, courtesy of BuildCentral (www.buildcentral.com).
BuildCentral specializes in planned construction project leads and location analytics for CRE, hotel, multi-family/single-family, medical, mining & energy, and retail construction spaces. Properties Magazine makes no warranty of any kind for this information, express or implied, and is not responsible for any omissions or inaccuracies. To notify Properties of any reporting errors, we encourage you to email cpr@propertiesmag.com.
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